three candles press is pleased to announce the third Three Candles Press First Book Award for a best first book of poems. The contest will be judged by Alexander Long, whose books include Light Here, Light There, Vigil and A Condition of the Spirit.

Award: Winner receives $500.00 and 25 copies of the winning book. Deadline Oct. 15th (post-mark date). The winner will be notified at the end of December. Runners up and two alternates will be posted on the website by January 15th, 2010. The book will be available through Small Press Distribution, online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and at fine booksellers in America and Europe. The winner will receive a standard royalty contract.

Guidelines: Manuscripts of 60 – 95 pages should have one cover page containing the poet’s name, address, phone number, email address and title of manuscript, and another with only the name of the manuscript. Please include only one acknowledgements page.

How the Contest Works: Publisher Steve Mueske will read all submitted manuscripts and forward the finalists to the judge (around 12 manuscripts). The final round of materials will be judged anonymously (without coversheet or acknowledgements page). To avoid conflicts of interest, the following manuscripts will be ineligible: those from former students of the judge or from family members or friends of the judge; those who have workshopped with Steve Mueske or received comments from any poems contained in the manuscript; and those who have worked with the editor in a business capacity (an exchange of money for goods or services) prior to the opening of the competition.

Manuscripts should be printed on one side only and bound with a sturdy clip. Contest entry fee is $22.00. Make checks payable to “three candles press”.

Send materials to:

three candles press
open book award
PO Box 1817
Burnsville MN 55337